Buzz
You must have heard of Japan's Mount Fuji. This mountain is an iconic symbol that the Japanese people take great pride in. Everyone visiting the land of the rising sun wants to check-in at this mountain. So, what makes this mountain so special and attractive? Let's find out in the following article!
A Brief Introduction to Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji, also known as Fujiyama in English, needs no introduction. It's a volcanic mountain in Japan that is approximately 100,000 years old and currently dormant. The last eruption occurred in 1707.
Do you know how tall Mount Fuji is and how far it is from Tokyo? With a total height of 3776.24 meters, Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. It is located on Honshu Island, approximately 100 km southwest of Tokyo.
Mount Fuji has always been an endless source of inspiration in Japanese poetry (Image source: Collection)
To conquer this mountain, you must choose one of the five main routes: Subashiri, Fuji-Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Gotemba, and Kawaguchiko. On average, it takes about 5 to 9 hours to climb Mount Fuji.
This mountain is chosen by many monks as a pilgrimage site, a place of asceticism and meditation. Many shrines are built along the foothills of the mountain. For the Japanese, this is a spiritually significant connecting point.
Best Time to Conquer Mount Fuji
People often organize mountaineering trips to Mount Fuji in July and August. If you have a desire to conquer this mountain, you should travel to Japan during these months. Many groups have organized trekking sessions during this time.
To conquer this mountain, you should come here at the right time (Image source: Collection)
However, in case of bad weather, the timing may change. To avoid missing out, you should update information regularly. And importantly, remember to choose experienced Mount Fuji climbing groups. Conquering Mount Fuji is not easy.
How to Get to Mount Fuji
If you're joining a Mount Fuji climbing group, you'll likely focus on traveling with the group. But if you have to travel to the mountain on your own, how will you get there? Here, Mytour will guide you on how to get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo!
There are two options for you to choose from: traveling by bus or train. Depending on your preferences, time, and budget, you can choose the suitable transportation mode. Each option has its own advantages, and the costs will vary as well.
1. By Bus
Typically, the bus journeys are about an hour apart. During climbing season, these routes will operate more frequently. With buses running continuously, you can catch one without prior booking. A bus ride costs 2,700 yen for one way. The journey from Tokyo to Mount Fuji takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
2. Train
If you prefer not to take the bus, you can also travel by train. However, traveling by train will be slightly more expensive than the bus. But this is also a very exciting experience that you should try.
Traveling by train to Mount Fuji will give you a completely new experience(Image source: Collection)
- You can choose the regular train (JR Chuo Special Rapid Service). Traveling by this means will take from 2 and a half to 3 hours. A one-way ticket costs 2,460 yen.
- Alternatively, you can opt for the high-speed trains JR Azusa or Kaji. Your journey will last around 2 hours and 20 minutes. One-way ticket prices range from 3,290 yen to 3,910 yen. The price difference depends on the day you start and the destination.
- Especially from July to November, there will be the Mount Fuji 5th Station train service. This train departs from Otsuki station to Kawaguchiko station. Then, you will take a bus to the 5th station. This is the starting point for climbing Mount Fuji. The ticket price for this train journey is 3,620 yen.
Mount Fuji trekking routes for hiking enthusiasts
To climb Mount Fuji, there are 5 routes. They are the Yoshida route, the Subashiri route, the Fujinomiya route, the Kawaguchiko route, and the Gotemba route. Among them, Yoshida and Subashiri are the most popular routes chosen. To understand why, keep reading the information below!
1. Yoshida Route
The Yoshida route is also known as the beginner's route. As it is designed for beginners, it is relatively easy and does not pose too many difficulties. Over 70% of Mount Fuji climbers choose this route. Opting for this route will take you about 6 hours to ascend and 3 and a half hours to descend.
Nothing beats the satisfaction of conquering this legendary mountain
The starting point for the Yoshida route is at the 5th station. Along the way, there are plenty of amenities and rest stops for you to take breaks. Consequently, this mountain trail is always bustling and crowded. Therefore, your actual climbing time may be longer than expected.
Mount Fuji Climbing Journey
To reach the summit of the mountain, it will take you about 6 hours. The longest section is from the 7th station to the 8th station. This is also the section you should pay attention to and be extremely careful. This stretch will have an altitude ranging from 2,700 to 3,100 meters. Therefore, the path is quite steep and rocky.
And the section from the 8th station to the summit usually takes the most time. Conquering it is indeed no easy feat. If you want to admire the sunrise or sunset, you need to allocate additional time.
Apart from the points mentioned above, the Yoshida route does not pose any additional difficulties. You can climb the mountain while admiring the breathtaking natural scenery. Because there are quite a few rest stops along the way, you can rest assured. And even if it's your first time climbing Mount Fuji, it's not too difficult.
Descending Mount Fuji Journey
If you've made it up there smoothly, you don't need to worry about coming down. A descent journey as mentioned will take about 3 and a half hours or more. However, during the descent, you also need to pay attention to the trail markers.
Especially when you reach the 8th station area. Here, there will be trail markers for both the Yoshida and Subashiri branches. At this point, follow the directions of the Yoshida branch! Just stick to the right path, and you'll quickly descend from Mount Fuji.
2. Subashiri Route
Compared to the Yoshida route, the Subashiri route is less popular. However, that doesn't mean you can't take this route. The scenery along the trekking path of this route is very beautiful. Due to fewer people, it will feel more spacious.
The journey to reach Mount Fuji is by no means easy (Image source: Collection)
Subashiri 5th Station is the starting point for this route. Your ascent will take about 7 hours, and the descent will take 4 hours. Although less chosen, the Subashiri route will surely provide you with perfect experiences.
Mount Fuji Ascent Journey
The first half of the journey is surrounded by trees, making the mountain climb quite pleasant. With the cool green space and shade, your Mount Fuji climb becomes wonderful. At this point, you'll feel like you're blending into nature. Along with that is the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air.
The longest stretch is from the 8th station to the summit of the mountain. This section will take you over 1.5 hours on foot. And you should be prepared for the possibility of fog at the intersection with the Yoshida route.
Descent Journey of Mount Fuji
As mentioned above, on the descent from station 8, there will be signs dividing the path into 2 routes. At this point, you need to choose the Subashiri branch. At station 7, there will be a gentle slope. This slope will make your descent easier. If you follow the instructions correctly, you will return to station 5 as when you started.
Some Tips for Climbing Mount Fuji
Preparation is essential for any journey to ensure safety, especially when tackling Mount Fuji.
To climb safely, there are key things you need to remember (Image Source: Collection)
- Pack enough food and warm clothing. As you ascend in July and August, temperatures drop significantly. It can be as low as 9.3 to 9.6 degrees Celsius. Physical exertion can lead to dehydration and fatigue, so bringing dry snacks and water is crucial.
- Have gloves, a hat, and comfortable sports shoes. You'll need gloves with good grip as you'll be using your hands to grip and hold onto things during the climb. Comfortable sports shoes that fit well are essential for your journey. A hat will protect you from wind, sun, and dust, keeping your head warm and well-protected.
- Don't forget to bring medications and basic medical supplies. It's advisable to carry cold medicine, fever reducers, and some personal bandages. If possible, carry a small oxygen canister as a precaution.
- Absolutely avoid undertaking the journey alone. The terrain is rugged, and the paths are prone to getting lost. If you encounter any trouble, there may not be timely assistance available.
Nearby Check-in Points to Mount Fuji
Close to Mount Fuji are some very famous attractions. If you're here, you can also visit these places. These exciting attractions will add even more fun to your journey!
1. Fuji-Q Amusement Park
If you're into fun and entertainment, you can't miss Fuji-Q. After trekking to conquer Mount Fuji, you can visit this amusement park. There are plenty of unique games here.
Most of the games here are thrilling. The most outstanding are undoubtedly the roller coasters. This park is famous for its record-breaking roller coaster rides since its inception in 1996.
The four most famous roller coasters here are Fujiyama, Dodonpa, Takabisha, and Eejanaika. Each ride has its own unique features and brings different levels of excitement. You can explore and challenge yourself with these thrilling rides.
Most of the thrilling rides here always require players to have a 'steel spirit' (Source: Collected)
In addition, there are themed games here for the adventurous. The most prominent is undoubtedly the super scary maze. Or there are gentler games for couples, families.
But no matter what game it is, it will bring you a fun experience. You will definitely have wonderful memories with your loved ones, friends. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!
2. Oshino Hakkai Village
If you've come to Mount Fuji and haven't visited Oshino Hakkai Village, you're missing out. This village boasts incredibly beautiful and serene natural scenery. In the past, Mount Fuji was surrounded by six large lakes. Oshino Hakkai is one of the lakes that dried up, becoming the village it is today.
There are many exciting activities in the village (Source: Collected)
Within the village, there are still eight small ponds with clear, cool water. These eight ponds are the result of 80 years of natural formation. Along with that are poetic fields of rapeseed flowers, lush green cornfields... The scenery here is as beautiful as an oil painting created by nature.
This village is considered a cultural icon of Japan. In 1934, the government of the land of the rising sun recognized the springs in the village as a national treasure. By 2013, the entire area (including Mount Fuji) was recognized as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
3. Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park
Many people affectionately call Yamanakako Hananomiyako the 'flower sea.' Here, you'll have the chance to admire flower fields against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. Depending on the season, the park blooms with different types of flowers.
Sometimes it's vibrant tulip fields, other times it's the golden hue of sunflowers. The flower fields seem to stretch endlessly, complementing the majestic Mount Fuji looming in the distance against the deep blue sky. This scene is like something out of a painting. Many tourists are mesmerized by this unique landscape.
It's hard to believe that this is a completely real natural scene (Image Source: Collection)
In international sightseeing tours of Japan, this park is often included in the itinerary. This destination never fails to captivate tourists with its unparalleled beauty. Give it a try and immerse yourself in this stunning scenery.
To fully appreciate its beauty, the best way is to rent a bicycle. Cycling around the park and enjoying the scenery this way is incredibly exciting. If you're ever in Mount Fuji, don't miss out on Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park!
4. Fujisan Hongu Sengen-Taisha Shrine
Fujisan Hongu Sengen-Taisha is one of Japan's oldest ancient shrines, with a history of over 1,200 years. It was built to protect the people from the 'wrath' of Mount Fuji's volcanic eruptions.
In spring, you can admire the cherry blossoms here. In summer, there's the cool, refreshing Wakutama Lake. And in winter, you can bathe in the melted ice water from the lake. It's said that bathing in this water helps relax the mind.
You can come here to pray for your family and friends (Image Source: Collection)
Every year, the shrine hosts over 159 different festivals, large and small. If you plan to climb Mount Fuji, you can visit here in July. The shrine holds an opening ceremony for climbing the mountain around July.
Combining mountain climbing with festival experiences is even more wonderful. You can arrange your schedule to have the best experiences. You'll surely have an incredibly memorable journey!
The insights above have surely given you a broader perspective on Mount Fuji. A mountain steeped in Japanese culture and history. Conquering Mount Fuji is undoubtedly challenging. But in return, the feeling of satisfaction and success is immense. To book a trip to Japan, contact Mytour via hotline Mytour now!
